Glutarimide: a carrier transporting drug through cell membranes

It is suggested that glutarimide moiety (2,6-piperidinedione) with the inta ct imide group (OC-NH-CO) and substituted at alpha or beta position in the ring, is acting as the carrier molecule (vector), which transports biologic ally active substituents (functional groups) through cell membranes. The re sults obtained from quantum chemical calculations and experimental studies indicate that structural features and physicochemical properties of glutari mide moiety are remarkably similar with those of uracil derivatives. Theref ore, glutarimide drug may interact with specific receptors involved in tran sport of uracil and thymine nucleosides and it may easily cross biological membranes. (C) 2000 Harcourt Publishers Ltd.